The Okotoks Dawgs finally had their day versus the Edmonton Prospects.

Okotoks won the rubber match in the best of three series 5-0 at Seaman Stadium on Saturday night.

With the series win, the Dawgs advance to the Western division finals for the first time since 2014. Edmonton in particular appeared to have the Dawgs' number, knocking them out of the first round each of the past three seasons.

After the game players were shouting "the curse is broken" on the field.

Head coach Mitch Schmidt says the team wasn't focused on their lack of success against Edmonton, but they understand how important this series was for the fans.

"I think it's more of a weight off the shoulders for the fans, because they're so loyal," Schmidt said. "The fan base, they want the win so bad. And that's where some of these guys started to figure out, after talking to the fans, how bad they wanted it here."

The Dawgs were led by starting pitcher Tanner Simpson, who pitched a complete game shutout. Over nine innings of work, Simpson allowed six hits, notching 11 strikeouts.

Last night in Edmonton, the Dawgs were able to get on base but struggled to knock their runners home, leaving men on base several times through first few innings. That wasn't the case Saturday, when the Dawgs managed to take an early 2-0 lead after three, with 18 year-old Ricardo Sanchez, and Jacob Melton knocking in RBIs in the second and third respectively.

From there, they didn't look back.

It was a huge bounce-back from a team who nearly punched their ticket to the division finals last night, but failed to close the deal.

After fighting back to tie game two at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the Dawgs took a 4-2 lead in extra innings, before allowing three runs in the bottom of the tenth. The Dawgs bullpen struck two batters, and allowed a run on a sacrifice fly, before Tyler Maskill knocked home two runners with a walk-off single. 

Coach Schmidt says what could have been a devastating loss didn't phase this group.

"If we win two out of three we're fine. That's why after last night we didn't panic. That's why these guys were able to jump back so quick, so easy. Because by losing last night we didn't have our backs against the wall. It was just part of the process."

With the win the boys move on to the WCBL West Division Final, where they'll face Lethbridge. Game one starts tomorrow, meaning the Dawgs have almost no turn-around time to prepare.

Coach Schmidt says his message for the team tonight is simple:

"Plain and simple: throw it on the table," Schmidt said. "Go out there and play. Go out and play hard. Effort and attitude, that's what it all comes down to."

The Dawgs will host game one at Seaman Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Game two will take place in Lethbridge on Monday, and game three will be back in Okotoks if necessary Tuesday.